Knoll Residents Association Minutes of 45th AGM held at St John's URC, Lynwood Grove on Tuesday 19 November 2019, at 7:45pm 1. Speakers and Guests Gareth Bacon - GLA member for Bexley and Bromley Sharon Baldwin - Orpington BID PC Taj Mahil, PCSO Colin Bissett Councillors: Tony Owen, Simon Fawthrop, Kim Botting, Pauline Tunnicliffe, William Huntingdon-Thresher. Rev Jennifer Millington - St John’s URC Bob Hadley - Chairman, Crofton RA. 2. Opening from Chairman Ian Black Ian welcomed all KRA members and invited guests to the AGM. Residents were asked to sign an attendance sheet and to give their name and address before asking questions. 3. Welcome from Reverend Jennifer Millington Jennifer welcomed everyone to St John’s URC. The church will be open on 12 December for quiet reflection from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. She invited people to the Carols by Candlelight Service on 16 December and to carol singing at Tesco on 19 December from 7:30 - 9:00 pm. 4. Minutes of 44th AGM Agreed1 5. Election of Committee Nominations have been received from seven committee members and they were duly elected for a further year. 2 6. Treasurer’s Report The accounts for the year ended 30th September 2019, independently examined by Brian Pow, were approved.3 7. Election of Honorary Auditor Brian Pow has kindly agreed to continue as independent examiner and was reappointed for a further year.4 8. Chairman’s comments Ian Black announced that he is standing down as Chair of KRA after 3 years in the role and having served on the committee for 20 years, including acting as Treasurer for many years. He thanked Sue Smith for her work as Planning Representative and Dave Thomas for his time on the committee. A young couple, Kevin and Kate Tunstall, have joined the committee this year, with Kevin taking responsibility for Knoll News. An appeal was made for new members to join the committee as there are now only seven committee members. 9. Review of Council Wards in London Borough of Bromley The Chair outlined the proposed review of Council Wards which suggests incorporating The Knoll into Orpington rather than linking it with Petts Wood. The proposal would change the numbers of Councillors to two representing Petts Wood and three representing Orpington. There are similarities between Petts Wood and The Knoll in terms of housing, schooling, commuting and issues of parking and rat runs. A vote was taken via a show of hands - an overwhelming majority wish to remain as Petts Wood and Knoll. The Chair will inform the Commission of the views of residents, and suggested that individual residents also make representation. 10. Presentation by Gareth Bacon with updates on The London Plan The London Plan was examined by three independent planning inspectors and their report was published in October. A large number of individuals and groups made submissions regarding the plan. The Mayor of London may agree or not with these submissions but has to explain his reasons. The London Assembly will have the final vote on the Plan, which can be rejected but not changed. Recommendations of the Inspectors: Good news: - development of small sites, conversion, infill and redevelopment should be reduced by half. - delete restrictions on Boroughs setting family homes targets Bad news: - supports the removal of the previous density matrix in favour of the Mayor’s density-led approach, upheld that industrial land cannot be touched and encourages a review of Green Belt land to help meet this policy. Brownfield land would continue to remain derelict. - remove protection of garden land. This opens the door to development in back gardens. - supports recommendations on car parking - many developments to be car-free It was suggested the residents could write to the Secretary of State and London Assembly Members expressing their concerns. Questions from the floor Ian Black asked if applying for ASRC status has made any difference - LBB does take it into consideration when deciding on planning applications but LBB’s plan has to adhere to the London Plan. 11. Orpington Video and Film Makers OVFM’s next film will be about The Knoll - there will be viewings in local pubs and at Orpington Methodist Church. They are interested in any plans of houses, information about key developers, photos of homes under construction which residents may be able to provide. It was suggested that the film may be screened at next year’s AGM. 12. Sharon Baldwin - Update on Orpington High Street Sharon Baldwin gave her usual update on Orpington High Street: - many businesses are signing up to be Dementia Friendly with use of sunflower lanyards - a conference will be held annually at the Odeon Cinema which will include an award ceremony for local businesses - hospitality outlets are joining the Chatty Chairs initiative to help combat isolation and loneliness - Mobiloo provision will be made for people with severe disablilities at local events - Orpington won a silver gilt award from London in Bloom - usual Christmas events will take place including an Orpington 1st Pantomime - Orpington 1st continues to work with the police, including trying to establish banning orders for some individuals for persistent drunkenness and petty theft 13. Other contributions Tony Owen informed of a licence application from The White Hart Public House for extended opening hours and suggested that residents could raise concerns online Kay Wilkins mentioned a spate of break-ins in Lynwood Grove - PC Taj Mahil was aware of this but said there is no particular increase in occurrence Concern was raised about speeding in Lynwood Grove - Cllr Simon Fawthrop said that traffic officers have investigated - any action has to be evidence based. Thanks were extended to the Councillors for their support for KRA and issues raised by residents. A resident offered a vote of thanks to the Committee for all their work over the past year. With thanks to everyone, the Chairman brought formal proceedings to a close at 9.15 pm and welcomed everyone to join the committee and invited guests for refreshments. 1 Proposed B Wilkin, seconded S Wood 2 Proposed L Wood, seconded J Brown 3 Proposed S Wood, seconded B Wilkin 4 Proposed L Wood, seconded S Smith .